Palestinian experts warned on Sunday, April 10, that threats by Jewish extremists to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third holiest site, has a more serious religious undertone as they believe that 2005 is the year for the construction of the so-called third temple.

“These groups are not joking. They unshakably believe that the year 2005 will see the establishment of the third temple at God’s orders,” Nihad Al-Sheikh Khalil, a researcher in Israeli affairs, told IslamOnline.net.

Although several Jewish groups have plotted to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Sunday, Khalil did not expect a major problem.

This, however, demonstrates that the Palestinians can not protect Al-Aqsa all by themselves despite their painstaking efforts, he said.

“Though few in numbers, these groups can translate their words into action since they are backed by the influential Israeli right-wing, which grows stronger day in and day out.”

Thousands of Palestinians gathered in and outside Al-Aqsa compound to protect it from Jewish ultra-nationalists. Around 3,000 Palestinians spent the night in the mosque.

Such groups, added the Palestinian expert, and the right-wing are wedded to the goal of derailing a planned Israeli pullout from the Gaza Strip.

“They want [Prime Minister Ariel] Sharon to reverse his plans and return to the rightist fold.”

Al-Haram Al-Sharif, which includes Al-Aqsa Mosque, represents the heart of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict because of its religious significance for Muslims.

Jews claim that their alleged Haykal (Temple of Solomon) exists underneath Al-Haram Al-Sharif which was the first qiblah (direction Muslims take during prayers).

It is Islam's third holiest shrine after Ka`bah in Makkah and Prophet Muhammad’s Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia.

Its significance has been reinforced by the incident of Al-Israa’ and Al-Mi`raj (the night journey from Makkah to Al-Quds and the ascent to the Heavens by Prophet Muhammad).